While Metallica themselves continue to deny that they are considering a replacement for Jason Newsted, UK metal magazine Kerrang! reports today (May 16) that Inez has been approached and is being put through his paces at a Los Angeles recording studio.

A spokesperson for the band’s management said: “According to James Hetfield, the band have not chosen a new bass player. There is no more information at the moment.”

The band started working on songs for their new album in San Francisco in April.